The Guam Legislature on Dec. 5, 2025, wrapped its December session by approving a broad set of bills covering artificial intelligence oversight, veterans’ affairs, election rules, and health-care funding, and by confirming four nominees to local boards. Lawmakers also successfully overrode the governor’s veto on Bill 119-38 COR.

Clerk readings and subsequent roll calls dominated the floor action. Among the package, the Legislature passed Bill 64-38 COR to establish a Guam artificial intelligence regulatory task force "to develop a comprehensive framework for the regulation of artificial intelligence" for government and the private sector while protecting constitutional rights. The body recorded the passage of that bill as 15 yeas and 1 excused.

The chamber approved appropriation Bill 187-38 COR, which allocates $19,745,714 from general-fund savings realized from bond-refunding to capital improvements and lifesaving supplies and materials at the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA). Lawmakers recorded the appropriation's passage by the body and also approved a related pharmaceutical-fund appropriation for GMHA earlier in the session.

Other measures cleared the floor with largely party-line or bipartisan roll-call results, including updates to Guam’s election rules and administrative code, adjustments to voter-registration timelines and clerk terms, an increase in penalties for graffiti, authorization of park land transfer to expand the Vicente A. Limtiaco Memorial Park, and creation of a transfer-on-death designation for motor vehicles. Several bills were explicitly introduced by multiple senators and amended in committee or on the floor before passage.

The Legislature also considered nominations for local boards. Julian R. Duenas was confirmed as the physical-therapy representative to the Board of Allied Health Examiners; Doyan A. Morato was confirmed for the Airport Authority Board; Zena S. N. Ruiz was confirmed as a Chamorro Cultural representative for the Guam Historic Preservation Review Board; and Carl E. Torres II was confirmed as a parent representative on the Guam Education Board. Each nominee was recorded in the transcript as receiving majority support and confirmed.

In a contested action, members voted to override the governor’s veto on Bill 119-38 COR. The override recorded 11 yays, 3 nays and 1 excused, after which the clerk announced the veto had been overridden.

Floor remarks at the session’s close reflected both celebration and contention. One lawmaker summarized the session’s accomplishments — noting bills "putting veterans at the forefront, improving election laws, strengthening penalties against predators, fighting for overdue funding for our local hospital, and even certifying long-time educators for life" — and urged colleagues to be kind in debate. Another senator criticized the majority for what he described as prioritizing tax relief that benefits large businesses and for limiting transparency and speaking time on the floor; a separate senator defended the business measures as important for employment and economic activity.

Most bills now proceed to the governor for consideration or, where applicable, to implementation steps spelled out in statute or administrative rules. The body adjourned the session "subject to call of the speaker" after Majority Leader Jesse A. Lujan moved to adjourn and the motion carried without objection.

Votes at a glance

- Bill 64-38 COR — Establish Guam AI regulatory task force: Passed, 15 yeas, 1 excused. (Introduced; committee and floor amendments noted.)
- Bill 49-38 COR — Transfer Lot No. 258 to Dept. of Parks & Recreation for Vicente A. Limtiaco Memorial Park: Passed, 14 yeas, 1 excused.
- Bill 128-38 COR — Post copies of petitions/recruitment notices on Guam public notice website: Passed, 14 yeas, 1 excused.
- Bill 157-38 COR — Stronger penalties for certain crimes against younger victims: Passed, 14 yeas, 1 excused.
- Bill 163-38 COR — Transfer-on-death beneficiary designation for motor vehicles: Passed, 14 yeas, 1 excused.
- Bill 165-38 COR — Extend operation period for U.S. driver’s license holders in Guam: Passed, 14 yeas, 1 excused.
- Bill 167-38 COR — Increase penalties for graffiti violations: Passed, 14 yays, 1 excused.
- Bill 176-38 COR — Commercial lease extension for tenants in good standing: Passed (final tally reported in transcript; recorded nays noted).
- Bill 183-38 COR — Support Guam Customs & Quarantine Agency facility development: Passed, 14 yeas, 1 excused.
- Bill 185-38 COR — Adjust voter registration times and appointment term for registration clerks: Passed, 13 yeas, 1 nay, 1 excused.
- Bill 187-38 COR — $19,745,714 appropriation to GMHA from bond-refunding savings: Passed, 14 yeas, 1 excused.
- Bill 189-38 COR and Bill 190-38 COR — Update Guam Election Commission rules and adopt updated election manual: Passed, 14 yeas, 1 excused.
- Bill 192-38 COR — Veterans Affairs Officer and Guam Veterans Commission reforms: Passed, 14 yeas, 1 excused.
- Bill 199-38 COR — Lifetime teaching certificate for experienced educators: Passed, 13 yeas, 1 nay, 1 excused.
- Veto override — Bill 119-38 COR: Override passed, 11 yays, 3 nays, 1 excused.

What’s next

Most measures will be transmitted to the governor for signature or veto, and administrative or committee follow-up where required. Appropriations for GMHA will proceed through the usual administrative implementation steps at the agency. The Legislature is adjourned subject to the call of the speaker and will reconvene at a date determined by the speaker.